Obama, GOP leaders seek Dems’ help on trade bill

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

The odd coalition of Republican congressional leaders and the Democratic White House twisted arms and offered enticements Wednesday in a hectic scramble to pass a major trade bill slated for a House vote at week’s end.

But fierce opposition from unions, and a dispute over Medicare language in a related bill, threatened to block support from all but a smattering of Democrats. Meanwhile, Republican leaders sought more GOP votes by appealing to conservatives who want limits on immigration, climate policy and other issues.

Late Wednesday, President Barack Obama sent top aides to huddle with House Democratic leaders. They included White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. McDonough told reporters it was “a great meeting,” and exited the Capitol.

Later, Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., met privately, as they had done late Tuesday.

Obama seeks “fast track” negotiating authority, which the Senate endorsed last month. Previous presidents have enjoyed the authority, which lets them present Congress with proposed trade agreements that it could ratify or reject, but not change.

If he obtains it, Obama hopes to advance the long-negotiated Trans-Pacific Partnership with 11 other nations, including Japan and Vietnam.